Tracking shifts in Society Islands marine subsistence through time: Intra-site analysis of faunal remains and fishing gear

Abstract

We discuss new data from Colonization Phase and Early Expansion/Development Phase assemblages in the pre-contact Society Islands. We focus on analysis of marine faunal remains and fishing gear to infer diachronic shifts in subsistence practices at two well-dated coastal sites. Both Colonization Phase (AD 950–1200) and Early Expansion Phase (AD 1200–1450) faunal assemblages are dominated by fish and mollusks as opposed to animal domesticates. Colonization Phase assemblages see higher capture of Scombrids and higher capture of marine mammals and turtle. Early Expansion fishhook assemblages and faunal remains document a movement towards increased capture of reef fish as well as the adoption of local styles and locally specific fishing practices. Overall, the diachronic trend in the Society Island diets is towards a decrease in turtle, marine mammal, and wild bird remains and an increase in terrestrial domesticated species roughly two hundred years after colonization, similar to patterns seen elsewhere in Eastern Polynesia.